Building panel connectors

ABSTRACT

A connector for joining together panels of building material such, for example, as corrugated paperboard, which are connected with any suitable type of wall panels. The connector is formed of a sheet of suitable size for secure angle connection to one panel and with teeth extending transversely of the sheet at an edge thereof, to be inserted into one or more panels that extend transversely to the first mentioned panel. The sheet preferably has prongs or spurs that are cut or struck out of the body thereof or formed thereon for angle engagement with one panel. The teeth can be inserted into the edge portion of the transverse panel, for example into the corrugations of a corrugated wall panel of paperboard material, and will securely anchor these parts together.

[451 Nov. 26, 1974 BUILDING PANEL CONNECTORS Herbert G. Yates, Yardley, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Panokraft Corporation of Canada Limited, Dorval, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 308,437

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 52/285, 52/587, 52/715, 52/753 .1 [51] Int. Cl. F16b 5/00 7 [581 Field of Search 52/285, 286, 585, 587, 52/597, 598, 715, 753 E, 753 L, 753 W, 753 J; 85/11, 13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,056 8/1919 Shaw 52/753 W 1,995,173 3/1935 Ehle et a1 52/753 L 2,101,952 12/1937 Olsen 52/753 W 2,213,355 9/1940 Woodworth 52/715 X 2,396,030 3/1946 Terry 52/753 L 3,606,414 9/1971 Haley 52/753 W 71,622 10/1950 Denmark 52/715 Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [5 7 ABSTRACT A connector for joining together panels of building material such, for example, as corrugated paperboard, which are connected with any suitable type of wall panels. The connector is formed of a sheet of suitable size for secure angle connection to one panel and with teeth extending transversely of the sheet at an edge thereof, to be inserted into one or more panels that extend transversely to the first mentioned panel. The sheet preferably has prongs or spurs that are cut or struck out of the body thereof or formed thereon for angle engagement with one panel. The teeth can be inserted into the edge portion of the transverse panel, for example into the corrugations of a corrugated wall panel of paperboard material, and will securely anchor these parts together.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEL W26 I974 sum 10F 2 BUILDING PANEL CONNECTORS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in connectors for joining together panels of building material such, for example, as was set forth in my prior application for building structure, Ser. No. 158,773, filed July 1, 1971.

A building structure according to known plans, such, for example as have been referred to in my patent application mentioned above, involves the use of tunnel sections placed edge-to-edge, with inturned flanges in side-by-side relation and secured directly together such, for example, as by an adhesive or by staples or the like. These tunnel sections are often made of corrugated paperboard material and have inside wall sections or panels set at right angles to the tunnel sections.

It is desirable to provide secure connections between the inside wall panels and the tunnel sections or panels to hold these parts in secure relation to each other. The use of exposed fastenings for this purpose would present an unsightly appearance to the inside structure of the wall, but no adequate provision has been made heretofore for securing effectively the tunnel sections or panels with inside wall panels set at angles thereto which will, at the same time, be concealed.

One object of this invention is to provide an effective blind fastening system for securing tunnel sections or panels with inside panels of a building set at an angle thereto and particularly when using corrugated board for the wall panels.

Another object of the invention is to improve the construction of connectors for wall panels which will enable these to be connected securely to panels set at angles to each other, particularly when certain of the panels are of corrugated board.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a connector with teeth on an edge portion thereof in position to engage within the corrugations of wall board of the corrugated paperboard type and which has additional means for connection with a panel section set at an angle thereto for securely anchoring these panels together.

These objects may be accomplished according to certain embodiments of the invention by constructing a connector of a sheet of relatively thin material formed with spurs or other suitable means at one or both opposite faces thereof to engage in a panel or panels of material. For example, the sheet may be inserted between side-by-side flanges of tunnel sections and will be anchored thereto by the spurs or other means. An edge of the sheet has teeth provided thereon extending transversely of said edge in one or both opposite directions so as to engage in an edge portion of a panel or in edge portions of aligned panels set at a right angle to the first mentioned panel for securely holding them in place.

The spurs preferably extend lengthwise of the sheet toward the fingers and have pointed ends directed toward the latter. In this relation the spurs will confine one panel and the teeth another set substantially at right angles to each other and thereby provide a blind fastening system for securing these panels in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross section of adjoining edge portions of channel sections or panels having interior wall panels connected thereto by a connector shown in ele vation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of these parts where the panels are partially separated from each other;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of one of the connectors;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of an end portion of a connector showing a modified form of teeth thereon;

FIG. 5 is an edge view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a corrugated sheet of wallboard illustrating the manner in which the teeth engage in the corrugations thereof; and

FIG. 7 is an edge view of a connector of a still further modified form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The connector according to this invention may be used for connecting together panels set at angles to each other such, for example, as the flange portions of channel sections described in my prior application Ser. No. 158,773, filed July l, 1971 now abandoned. Examples of such use are illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in this illustrated embodiment, a pair of tunnel sections 1 and 2 are disposed in side-by'side relation such as may be used to form the roof or side wall portion of the building. These tunnel sections include inturned flanges 3 and 4, respectively, which are disposed in side-by-side relation and are secured together through the flanges as by staples 5 or other suitable means, as described in the aforesaid application.

It is desired to provide for the secure connection with I these tunnel sections or outside panels of interior walls, such as are illustrated at 6 and 7 and which wall panels 6 and 7 are aligned with each other and adapted to form an interior wall over the ceiling or along the sides or ends of the building. The connectors, according to this invention, provide blind fastening means which may be used at desired spaced intervals along the interconnected edges of the channel sections and wall sections. For example, where the flanges 3 and 4 extend along the roof or along the side wall of the building, a suitable number of connectors may be provided along the edge thereof, as will be found desirable for securing effectively the adjacent edge portions of the wall panels 6 and 7.

It is often desirable to use a corrugated cardboard material for the interior walls such, for example, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6. The panel shown in FIG. 6 is an interior wall panel having corrugations 8 in the usual manner of corrugated cardboard, with the corrugations spaced apart forming openings at intervals along the edge of the wall panel.

One form of connector is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, comprising an elongated sheet or plate which may be inserted between the side-by-side flanges 3 and 4 or connected with one of these and extending substantially to the space between the aligned interior wall panels 6 and 7 for connection at said edge with these wall panels or one of them. The connector may be formed in any suitable way as, for example, of sheet metal or of plastic or of a combination thereof or may be made of wire suitably fabricated.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, connecting means between the sheet 9 and the flange or flanges 3 and 4 comprise a plurality of spurs, illustrated at 10. These spurs 10 are so disposed that some of them will extend to one side of the sheet 9 and others to the opposite side, as will be apparent from FIG. 1, and thus engage in the opposing faces of the flanges 3 and 4.

According to FIG. 3, the spurs 10 are in two rows disposed side-by-side, with one spur in each row turned in one direction from the face of the sheet and the other spur in that row turned in the opposite direction. All of them have the pointed end of the spur toward the outer end of the sheet and, when engaged in the opposing faces of the flanges 3 and 4, especially when the latter are formed of paperboard material, these spurs will anchor the connector effectively to the flanges and be disposed therebetween in a concealed position.

At the outer edge of the sheet 9, a series of teeth 11 are provided, extending transversely to the edge, preferably at right angles thereto. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the teeth 11 extend at right angles in both opposite directions from the outer edge of the sheet 9 a substantial distance so as to engage in the aligned edges of the wallboard panels 6 and 7. These teeth 11 may have pointed ends, if desired, and also be conical or with tapering sides to facilitate the insertion of the teeth into the edges. Where the wall parts 6 and 7 are formed of corrugated material, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the teeth 11 will be directed into the spaced corrugations, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

If the sheet or plate 9 is formed of sheet metal, the spurs 10 can be stamped therefrom and bent outward in the relation illustrated. In this event, the teeth 11 may be formed directly on the outer edge of the sheet 9 or secured thereto. These teeth 11 may be welded or otherwise fastened to the sheet and may be formed of wire, plastic or other suitable material. If the sheet 9 be molded of plastic, the prongs l and teeth 11 may be molded directly thereon or the teeth be separately formed and secured in a desired manner to the edge of the sheet.

In the modified form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet is illustrated at 12, having teeth 13 extending at right angles from the outer edge of the sheet. In this form, the teeth are outtumed alternately in opposite directions from the edge of the sheet, being formed in one integral piece thereof, either of sheet metal or of plastic.

The connector 9 has the sheet thereof inserted between the opposed portions of the outer panels such, for example, as the flanges 3 and 4 on the channel sections 1 and 2 to the entire depth of the sheet. Then, upon pulling outward on the sheet, the prongs will become wedged in the opposed faces of the flanges and thus securely anchor the sheet and the connector to these panels 1 and 2. The inside wall panels 6 and 7 then can be locked in place and secured to the outer panels by edgewise engagement of the wall panels with the teeth 11. If the inside wall panels are formed of corrugated material, these teeth can engage in the corrugations and will be spaced apart along the edge of the sheet 9 to correspond substantially with the spaces of the corrugations, as indicated particularly in FIG. 6.

A series of connectors can be used at desired intervals along the edges of the wall panels 6 and 7. These connectors will form a simple and effective means of securing the inner wall panels with the outer panels or channels, which connecting means is entirely concealed within the surface of the wall structure and will not be exposed as would be the case if outside fastenings were used. The crack between the edges of the inside panels forming interior wall surface may be covered with a sealing tape or filled with a suitable plastic material so as to permit of painting over the surface to present an attractive wall of the room.

While the invention has been illustrated and de scribed in certain embodiments, it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A connector for joining together panels of building material at angles to each other, comprising a sheet adapted to be disposed between portions of panels, the sheet having prongs extending in opposite directions therefrom, the prongs having pointed ends to engage in the adjoining portions of the panels, the pointed ends of the prongs being directed towards an edge of the sheet extending outwardly from between said panel portions for joining to a second wall panel at an angle thereto, and means forming a row of teeth along said edge for insertion into an edge portion of the second panel.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed substantially at right angles to the sheet.

3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the teeth extend in opposite directions from the sheet.

4. In a building having a pair of tunnel-shaped panels with intumed flanges in side-by-side relation, and wall panels in edge-to-edge aligned relation at the edges of the inturned flanges, a connector comprising a sheet having a body portion disposed between the flanges with an edge of the sheet disposed between the aligned edges of the wall panels, means for securing the body portion to the flanges, and a row of teeth secured on the edge of the connector and extending in opposite directions therefrom into the aligned edges of the wall panels.

5. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the wall panels are of corrugated material and having the teeth engaging in the corrugations thereof.

6. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the sheet has prongs extending in opposite directions therefrom into the flanges to anchor the flanges to the wall panels.

7. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the teeth are disposed between the wall panels intermediate the opposite faces thereof, and the connector is concealed by the panels. 

1. A connector for joining together panels of building material at angles to each other, comprising a sheet adapted to be disposed between portions of panels, the sheet having prongs extending in opposite directions therefrom, the prongs having pointed ends to engage in the adjoining portions of the panels, the pointed ends of the prongs being directed towards an edge of the sheet extending outwardly from between said panel portions for joining to a second wall panel at an angle thereto, and means forming a row of teeth along said edge for insertion into an edge portion of the second panel.
 2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed substantially at right angles to the sheet.
 3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the teeth extend in opposite directions from the sheet.
 4. In a building having a pair of tunnel-shaped panels with inturned flanges in side-by-side relation, and wall panels in edge-to-edge aligned relation at the edges of the inturned flanges, a connector comprising a sheet having a body portion disposed between the flanges with an edge of the sheet disposed between the aligned edges of the wall panels, means for securing the body portion to the flanges, and a row of teeth secured on the edge of the connector and extending in opposite directions therefrom into the aligned edges of the wall panels.
 5. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the wall panels are of corrugated material and having the teeth engaging in the corrugations thereof.
 6. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the sheet has prongs extending in opposite directions therefrom into the flanges to anchor the flanges to the wall panels.
 7. In a building according to claim 4, wherein the teeth are disposed between the wall panels intermediate the opposite faces thereof, and the connector is concealed by the panels. 